Research Article

EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS OF REGISTERED SMES IN KADUNA STATE

1 College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences Division ofAgricultural Colleges,Ahmadu Bello University,Mando Kaduna.
2 Department of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management Sciences, Kaduna State University
3 Department of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management Sciences, Kaduna State University,
* Corresponding author: samaharuna@gmail.com
Published: Dec, 2025
Pages: 82-97
Views: 13
Downloads: 6

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of self-efficacy on the entrepreneurial success of registered Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the influence of three core dimensions of self-efficacy mastery experience, vicarious experience, and social persuasion on business success indicators such as innovation, growth, and sustainability. The research adopts a quantitative survey design, using a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 384 registered SME owners. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. Findings revealed that all three dimensions of self-efficacy significantly and positively influenced entrepreneurial success, with mastery experience having the strongest impact. The results also validated the relevance of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior within the Nigerian SME context. The study concludes that psychological capital, particularly self-efficacy, plays a critical role in entrepreneurial performance. It recommends targeted policies and training programs that strengthen experiential learning, mentoring, and encouragement mechanisms among entrepreneurs in Kaduna State. These findings provide valuable insights for entrepreneurship development policies in emerging economies.

References

  1. Abubakar, A. U. (2022). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and SME performance in Northwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Business and Economic Research, 17(3), 123-137.
  2. Adebayo, T., & Akeem, R. (2023). Resilience and entrepreneurial success among SMEs in Nigeria: The role of psychological capital. Nigerian Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 11(2), 48-61.
  3. Agyeman, B., & Amponsah, M. (2021). Youth entrepreneurship in Ghana: The mediating role of self-efficacy on start-up success. Journal of African Business Studies, 19(1), 82-96.
  4. Akeem, R., Dada, J., & Oyetunde, M. (2023). Psychological traits and informal sector entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Journal of Management and Policy Studies, 15(2), 209-225.
  5. Ajzen, I. (2002). Perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, locus of control, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(4), 665-683.
  6. Andow, M. A., Ibrahim, R. U., & Gambo, L. A. (2025). Entrepreneurial motivation and SME success: A study of registered businesses in Kaduna State. Nigerian Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Development, 14(1), 77-89.
  7. Bandura, A. (2010). Self-efficacy. In The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology (4th ed., pp. 1534-1536). Wiley.
  8. Castillo, E., & Ramirez, L. (2020). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and sustainability in Latin American SMEs: A Colombian perspective. Latin American Journal of Innovation, 18(2), 145-162.
  9. Chen, Y., & Liao, S. (2019). Tech-based SMEs in Taiwan: The role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in innovation performance. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13(3), 289-303.
  10. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
  11. Dada, O. S., & Eniola, A. A. (2020). Psychological capital and SME performance: Empirical evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 24(3), 1-10.
  12. Ismail, R., & Othman, S. (2019). Entrepreneurial success: The role of social capital and innovation. International Journal of Business and Social Research, 9(2), 1-11.
  13. Luthans, F., Avolio, B., & Youssef-Morgan, C. (2021). Psychological capital and entrepreneurial behavior: A global perspective. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 28(1), 15-31.
  14. Miller, H., & Weiss, S. (2021). Digital innovation and entrepreneurial self-efficacy: A study of SMEs in the DACH region. European Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management, 29(4), 402-418.
  15. Neneh, B. N. (2021). Entrepreneurial intention and performance among youth in South Africa: A TPB approach. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 12(3), 278-295.
  16. Neneh, B. N. (2022). The effect of necessity- and opportunity-driven motivations on entrepreneurial success. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 28(6), 1459-1478.
  17. Nguyen, T. V., & Duong, Q. N. (2021). Entrepreneurial education, self-efficacy, and start-up success among Vietnamese graduates. Journal of Asian Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 5(2), 118-136.
  18. Nguyen, T., Luu, H., & Pham, V. (2022). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and performance: The mediating role of innovation capability. Asian Journal of Business Research, 12(1), 23-38.
  19. Oyeku, O. M., Afolabi, A., & Bamidele, R. O. (2020). Entrepreneurial orientation and SME growth: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 27(2), 215-233.
  20. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  21. Thompson, J., & Rivera, M. (2023). Entrepreneurial resilience among Hispanic-owned SMEs during COVID-19: The role of self-efficacy. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 33(1), 61-78.
  22. Urban, B., & Kujinga, L. (2020). The role of entrepreneurial alertness in opportunity recognition and firm performance. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 27(3), 351-370.
  23. Urban, B., & Naidoo, R. (2020). Effect of mentorship on entrepreneurial behavior: Evidence from emerging markets. South African Journal of Business Management, 51(1), 12-25.
  24. Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (2nd ed.). Harper and Row.
How to Cite

Haruna, S. A., Abdu, M., & Gambo, H. (2025). EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS OF REGISTERED SMES IN KADUNA STATE. Kaduna Business and Management Reviews, 6(2), 82-97. https://doi.org/10.68022/kbmr.2025.9qykpcad

S. A. Haruna, M. Abdu, and H. Gambo, "EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS OF REGISTERED SMES IN KADUNA STATE," Kaduna Business and Management Reviews, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 82-97, December 2025. doi: 10.68022/kbmr.2025.9qykpcad

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn